1990-12-16 Lindell Holmes w pts 12 Thulani Malinga, Ice Palace, Marino, Italy - IBF. Referee: Rudy Battle. Scorecards: 116-112, 116-112, 117-113. The contest was fairly even during the opening five rounds as Malinga (166¼) walked into the champion, forcing him to fight his fight and making things difficult in general. From the sixth onwards the fight belonged to Holmes (165½) as he slipped inside Malinga’s wild punches to land solid lefts and rights, and in the 12th he nearly had the South African over with a terrific right to the head. Holding on whenever he could as Holmes attacked non-stop, Malinga made it to the final bell and although he was clearly beaten he had, at least, preserved his record of never having been knocked out 38 fights.